A Beary Fun Party

Oh yes, I did just type that cheesy title. If you want to stop reading right now I won't blame you.

This year Riley had a Build a Bear Party for her birthday.

Is it just me or does the idea of our children at B.A.B make anyone else feel really old all of a sudden?

Wasn't it just yesterday Tata and I were in there running the fluffer and kissing our fabric hearts? 

Anyway, we considered a slew of shindig options this year. At one point we were trying to choose between a party at our home (nixed because I don't need the extra cleaning in my life), a mani/pedi outing (ousted because 3 of the guests were boys), and an American Girl tea party (see reason #2).

So, how did we choose Build a Bear?

We were at the end of a shopping trip in December. It had been successful (in parenting terms) but, little man was dangerously close to epic meltdown level. We were barreling towards the exit, yards from the turn that would lead to the parking garage when Riley skidded to a halt by my side. As my eyes focused in on what had caught her attention I inwardly groaned. She wanted to go in "jus to see", but our Cam-bomb was ticking. So I did what any desperate mother would do as the gears in my mind frantically clicked into place.  I steered her toward the exit and said, "Not today honey...but how about we have your birthday party there?"

The rest is party history. Riley made the guest list and we made the decision to make it a drop off party. (I for one am looking forward to the years of drop off parties and the sooner the better.)  Drop off style was a first for us, but no big deal for someone who currently watches toddler hordes 5 days a week.

With the help of the Build a Bear staff TG and I led the cutest crew of 2 and 3 year olds you've ever seen through the steps of making their own stuffed friends.

Our first stop was the choosing wall.  The Year of the Dragon friend was the most popular choice.  It is so amusing to see what young kids pick given the choice.


Armed with empty shells we moved on to the fluffer machine.  Highly technical term I know.  All the kids waited so patiently for their turn.
 

Before we could choose outfits they all carefully "washed" their newly stuffed friends.


After the air bath it was dress up time.  Riley chose a satin cocktail dress for her bear, Barbie.


This was the best shot we could get of the party crew and their finished products.  Just looking at all their choices makes me giggle.  B.A.B was probably glad we helped reduce their inventory of Wizards uniforms.  My guess is they can barely give them away.  I'm just saying.


After a special parting song and dance for the birthday girl we lined them all up and marched to the food court for chicken nuggets, hamburgers and cupcakes.   We were quite the sight leading 7 adorable children and stuffed animals through the crowds.  

All of them were so very well behaved and TG provided the entertainment while they ate.  He was a big hit and cost way less than a clown.

 It was the perfect 4th birthday party and the princess couldn't have been happier.


 

Happy Birthday Dear Riley!

Dear Riley,

Today you are 4.  4 years went by in the blink of an eye.  I tried to make your day as special for you as you are to me.  I think you loved it.  I hope you always have happy memories of your birthdays.

I decorated the house and made pancakes while you slept. I sang Happy Birthday to you about 6 times today. I sang when you woke up and I sang before you ate your birthday pancakes.
 

One of the perks of running a daycare is having enough kids for an instant party.  You loved having people to "celebrate" with you.  You carefully put a hat on everyone and kindly directed them to take a picture.

We went to Chick Fil A for lunch and your party grew by 5 people. You wore your party dress and crown. For a while we had the play area all to ourselves and you and the big kid crew ran wild.  You were momentarily upset when you realized you weren't getting a hamburger for lunch.

You had four outfit changes today. I obliged because it was your special day. You love pretty dresses and looking "jus gorjus". When we went to teatime at the American Girl store you wore the fancy dress Mimi gave you. You brought your baby, Lilypillia.


It was beautiful in the restaurant, all pink, polka dots, and flowers everywhere.  You tried the tea, but you preferred eating the honey.


They made you feel very special at teatime.  The waitress even brought you ice cream with a candle in it and we sang Happy Birthday to you...again.  When we were done with tea I let you take Lilypillia down to the store so you could choose a new outfit for her.  You pushed her around and around the store in a stroller browsing all the options.  You finally chose the birthday set for her.


Your beautiful cousin Eva was there. She is 2 months old today. You love Eva and were so excited she and Aunt Natalie could come to tea. I hope you and Eva grow up to be best friends.

All the excitement and sugar finally got to you on the way home from tea and you passed out in the car.  When we got home you had spaghetti for dinner. It's still one of your favorite meals. You cleaned your plate and then started clamoring for cake. At your request I made chocolate cake with chocolate icing. You were so excited when Daddy brought it out.

We sang Happy Birthday for the last time.  It took you a few tries to get the candles blown out, but you persisted.


You and Camden happily ate cake together at the table. Only the crumbs were left when you were done. You kept showing me your chocolate face.

4 years ago I held you and though I had plenty of hopes and dreams I had no idea what you would be like as a 4 year old.  Now I know why.  My little brain just couldn't imagine the special girl you were going to become.  Happy Birthday dear Riley.  We love you so much!

4

"Hey Mom? When I go to sleep tonight you can decorate okay? For my birthday? Right, Mom? I'm gonna be 4!  Right, Mom?  Not today, but the next day?  Right?"

Right.  A little Scotch tape and crepe paper.



Some poster board and glitter to make lots of number 4s.



Add a few Ariel balloons.


Tie down a big heart balloon for the Birthday Princess.


Use a paint pen, more poster board, random bits of ribbon, and finger paint, for a special bunting.


Plus some swag should do it.


To celebrate 4 incredible years with our beautiful little girl.  Happy 4th Birthday Riley!


 

Just Some Pictures

Of my darling three (almost four) year old princess.

Being herself. Acting like a goofball. Hanging in her jams. Cheesing for the camera.  Knows she's being silly.

Doesn't care what anyone thinks.

I wish she could stay that way forever, but I know I won't be able to shelter her from the opinions that will be aimed to hurt her someday.  I worry about that, which I'm keenly aware is useless.

So I push it back and I savor these moments.


Just some pictures.


Of my girl being silly.


The picture of innocence.

Natural Born

Swimmer.

Riley swam for the first time last summer, in August on our Smith Lake trip to be exact. We went to the man made beach and an entire summer of mine and TG's instruction finally clicked.  I stood there in the sunshine with my arms outreached as she pushed off from the bottom and swam to me. It was such a special moment. She did it again, and again and again. Sometimes she would come up sputtering, forget to blow those bubbles, but she was always ready for more.

We have let her "instruction" lapse since the summer, but after Christmas she asked us if she could take swim lessons.  So we signed her up and dug her swimsuits out of storage.

Part of me really wants my kids to have some swimming talent. The other part of me dreads the time commitment I know it takes. Either way I know it's out of my hands because she loves it.

 Can't you tell?
 

She swam freestyle from the middle to the wall like it was no big thing at this lesson.  I asked her to give me her proud pose.  She said, "How's this?".  Perfect.

Happy New Year!

We haven't celebrated New Year's really since Riley's been born. I don't think I need to explain the reasons why.

We're the kind of parents that seriously both obsessively love and need sleep. So we were pretty excited to make actual New Year's Eve plans this year. Don't get too excited. I've yet to realize my dream of a semi drunken kiss at midnight under a balloon drop, but I'm a step closer than asleep for three hours by midnight and grumbling about fireworks.

Maybe two steps closer because we actually had cause to dress everyone up. We tried a self timer family photo again.  I'm okay with the results except I now have for sure proof that my baby girl got my squinty eye (just the opposite side), but I have a plan to teach her how to blink on the count of 2 for the photo on 3.  Clearly I need to give myself a refresher course too.


Our big plans for the night were to meet our dear friends at Benihana to join in on their tradition of Japanese Steakhouse New Year's Eve. The kids were very excited.  Aren't they precious in their special outfits?

Their excitement only grew when they discovered they could don the same red hat as our chef (while eating scrap M&M's Mommy had in her purse since we misjudged the late dinner time).

This was the perfect picture to round out Riley's 2011.  HAPPY. 

Our chef was very fun, the food was delicious and the company was great.

At the end of dinner the chef invited Riley up to play drums. She ran right up there and put on a show.

And then her two besties put on a rocking encore.



It was the perfect evening.  After filling our bellies full of tasty food we came home, kissed our babies one last time in 2011 and settled in on the couch together.  Since we have two rocking sleepers we made it to midnight for the first time in four years and celebrated with a bottle of champagne and a little chocolate cake from Wegmans.

Happy 2012 to all of you!  I hope your year is off to a great start.

Ice Princess

We are very fortunate to be able to enjoy a long Christmas break so we had lots of free time for other activities while we were at Gigi and Papa's house.

Gigi grew up in Massachusetts and loved ice skating when she was little. She has been waiting for the chance to take Riley out on the ice. We decided that this year Riley was old enough to have her first ice skating experience with her Gigi.

True to her adventurous ways, Riley was so excited to get her skates on and get moving! She wasn't afraid at all and with Gigi's help (and the railing) she slowly made it around the rink.

After a couple of laps around we gave her an orange cone to try to maneuver herself. She gave it a good try, but wasn't a big fan of that method.

So she went back to the Gigi method and quite enjoyed herself.   They went around about 7 times I think before she was tired out.

I got video, of course, but only watch this if the sound of proud Mama squealing, loud music, and a fussing toddler doesn't make you want to rip your hair out.  You've been warned.  :)

iPad photo dump

Sassy's last self photo with her beloved blue paci.


Before she decorated an envelope to send it to the baby fairies.

Camden took our freshly washed comforter and made a bed for himself on the floor to watch Elmo.

Pretty fly for a little white guy.


Riley and TG before they went to his school to assemble meals for the food drive.

A little Steelers cheerleader (whose stuff will now have to be packed away until next season).

SHARK!  I personally think a kid would find a large painting like this scary, but Camden thought it was hilarious.